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Chester Hills Solan clearances under fresh scanner: Govt orders re-examination, no action yet on officials
Shimla, April 4,
In a move that reopens one of Himachal Pradesh’s most contentious real estate cases, the state government has ordered a fresh re-examination of clearances granted to the Chester Hills projects in Solan, even as questions mount over the absence of action against officials who processed the approvals.
Official communication from the Revenue Department confirms that earlier decisions linked to the project have been set aside. The Deputy Commissioner, Solan, has now been directed to initiate proceedings under Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act and pass fresh orders after hearing all stakeholders.
The shift comes after growing allegations that permissions for Chester Hills Projects 2 and 4—linked to M/s NG Estate and associated promoters—were granted under questionable circumstances. Earlier, multiple departments, including Urban Development and Town and Country Planning, had allowed key relaxations. These ranged from acceptance of technical committee recommendations to approval of deviations under Rule 35 of the TCP Rules, 2014, along with facilitation of water connections.
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Despite these clearances, the government has now acknowledged the need to revisit the approvals, indicating concerns over procedural transparency. However, the lack of any disciplinary action against officers involved in granting these permissions has emerged as a major point of contention.
Former Shimla Deputy Mayor Tikender Singh Panwar said the latest decision validates long-standing allegations of “systemic violations” in the approval process. He alleged that senior bureaucratic leadership, across tenures, either overlooked irregularities or enabled them. While welcoming the re-examination order, Panwar raised concerns over possible financial impropriety, suggesting that deeper scrutiny into the decision-making chain is still required.
The issue has sparked reactions across the political spectrum. Leaders from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), along with BJP figures Satpal Singh Sati and Randhir Sharma, have called for a comprehensive probe and accountability of officials linked to the approvals.
The controversy has also reached the legal domain. A complaint has been filed at Chhota Shimla police station by a standing counsel of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, who has also moved a Public Interest Litigation alleging the involvement of top bureaucrats in facilitating the project.
At the centre of the dispute is the application of Section 118, a provision that regulates land transactions involving non-agriculturists in Himachal Pradesh. The law vests significant discretionary powers with the Collector and the state government, making the process highly sensitive. The current review is expected to examine whether due procedure was followed and if exemptions were granted within the legal framework.
While the government’s decision to revisit the approvals marks a significant development, the absence of immediate accountability measures has intensified scrutiny. The outcome of the re-examination—and any subsequent legal or administrative action—could have wider implications for how land permissions and large-scale real estate projects are handled in the state going forward.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
